couple counseling, marriage therapy or premarital therapy
What to expect with couples therapy, marriage therapy or premarital therapy with Paul Hoskins
BEFORE THE FIRST SESSION
You may want to do a 10-15 free consultation so that we can determine whether we would be a good match for one another. I encourage both partners to be involved in this consultation. This is like watching a short movie trailer to determine whether you want to go see a movie. The trailer will provides some of the highlights without going too deep into the plot but you get some sense of of what the movie is about. This is what we will be doing with one another on this free consultation you can provide the highlights of your concerns and I will provide the highlights of my approach and see how it feels then we will decide whether you would like to move forward with paid therapy services. I encourage you both to ask any questions you may have about my counseling approach at this time. There is never a commitment to attend sessions my recommendation is to continue as long as it is helpful and you feel like you are making progress. It is also during this consultation that discuss logistics of the therapy process such as availability and fees. we discuss therapy fees and whether you will need a sliding fee scale. My session fees are $150.00 for 60 minutes and $190.00 for 75 minutes and that fee is automatically charged to the card on file after each session is completed. I recommend 75 minute sessions for couples and families or for any individual that feels like the extra time would be helpful for them.
The consultation and all sessions afterwards we will be using the secure platform www.therapyappointment.com. You will be asked to complete intake paperwork and provide a debit or credit card but you will not be charged anything until you complete your first full first session.
If you are coming in for couples counseling the first session we will all meet together and we discuss and process relationship dynamics. This is an experiential process where we are trying to change difficult communication patterns. I play an active role and I often interrupt these difficult patterns and direct the process in order to facilitate change.
THE FIRST SESSION
After the first session I like to meet with each person individually in order to get to know them better and understand how each of their backgrounds influences the relationship. Depending on the couple and the needs of the relationship we may at times shift from working conjointly to working individually and then return to conjoint sessions.
I tend to mostly use Internal Family Systems and Emotionally Focused Therapy in my practice. I have found, and this is supported by research, that EFT is generally an effective approach when working with couples. I have found EFT to be an effective model in helping couples, individuals and family members work through and communicate their feelings and patterns of behavior in areas where they had previously felt stuck.
As far as the length of session I recommend 75 minutes sessions for all couples therapy sessions.